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Just after the winter solstice, the capital was filled with a joyful atmosphere of preparing for the New Year. However, news of the Eighth Prince's wife being bedridden soon spread. Qingyan sat in the carriage on his way back to Guangdong and Guangxi, feeling somewhat melancholy.
The twins played around nearby, and Yin carefully observed Qingyan's emotions. Sure enough, Qingyan still had a lingering shadow in her heart.
"Little darling, are you still thinking about the Guo Luo Luo clan?" Yin put down the book in his hand and approached Qingyan to ask.
Qingyan nodded. When the news of the Eighth Prince's wife arrived, the women of the royal family felt a chill in their hearts. The Eighth Prince hadn't said a word, and the bluish-purple color on the Eighth Prince's wife's face made the women feel even colder.
From the Crown Prince to the Eighth Prince, these princes have become disorganized. Because of the two princes, many young ladies-in-waiting are worried that they will be assigned to the Eighth Prince as his secondary consort.
"Fourth Prince, what did Prince An give up?" Qingyan asked curiously.
The place where Yinsi built his residence outside the palace was very close to the residences of Prince Yu and Prince An. Originally, Kangxi thought that Prince An was the maternal grandparents of the Eighth Prince's wife, and could be considered someone who relied on Yinsi.
Now, things have changed, catching Kangxi completely off guard.
“It’s military power. Originally, Prince An, Yue Le, had military power outside the Great Wall allocated by the late emperor. My father-in-law gave it up. He was a wise man. By giving up this part of the military power, Kangxi would not always think about weakening Prince An’s power.” Yin sneered.
Prince An, Yue Le, was very clever. He took advantage of the incident involving the Eighth Prince's wife to hand over all his military power.
"Fourth Prince, who would give Prince An advice?" Qingyan was puzzled, as Prince An, Yue Le, seemed to be indifferent to everything.
"It must be one of the advisors, or one of the soldiers outside the Great Wall!" Kangxi had very strict control over the soldiers outside the Great Wall. "Father's generals must have given Yue Le a hint!"
As Qingyan listened to Yin's analysis, he pondered Fei Yanggu's secret guards. He thought that when Yiken'e grew up, he would be handed over to Yiken'e to take charge of them.
"Fourth, Father said that Yiken'e would be in charge of the secret guards," Qingyan whispered.
Yin was taken aback. Fei Yanggu actually wanted to let go. Kangxi had once said that these secret guards must be in the hands of Fei Yanggu's descendants, as a guarantee for the royal family.
“No!” Yin refused decisively. “These must be controlled by the Saito lineage. The royal children cannot be managed.”
Yin planned to transfer his power to Yiken'e, so these things could no longer be controlled by Yiken'e. However, the little prince below could help Saito.
"What? Father also said that he would try to concentrate power in Yiken'e's generation as much as possible." Qingyan said with difficulty.
Yin patted her little hand to reassure her, saying that he would have a good talk with Fei Yanggu after they returned to the naval port.
“I will personally inform my father-in-law. My father-in-law spoke to me privately,” Yin said, stopping Qingyan. “Moreover, the matter of the Eighth Prince’s wife has caused quite a stir. The Eighth Prince’s second wife should not have a very high status.”
Yin abruptly changed the subject, ending the previous conversation.
"What? The imperial concubine selection will choose a secondary consort? Guo Luoluo faked her death. Does this mean that the Eighth Prince will not observe mourning for his consort?" Qingyan sneered. Kangxi really is taking care of the Eighth Prince.
Yin shook his head and said, "Everyone knows that the Eighth Prince's wife faked her death. The royal family's statements are just for show. At most, people will think that the Eighth Prince is a bit cold-hearted."
Qingyan leaned against the cushions, turning her head to look out the window. In the winter, the carriage was moving very fast, much faster than the journey back to the capital.
"Fourth Prince, I think Eighth Prince is quite happy. He might have already found someone to succeed him!" Qingyan noticed that Yinsi had been in contact with Tong Guowei. Could it be...?
"Of course, Tong Guowei has prepared his granddaughter, hoping that Yinsi can take that position. Ever since Mother declared that she would no longer interfere in family affairs, Tong Guowei has been playing both sides." Yinsi understood her thoughts and quickly said.
"What did Mother say?" Qingyan asked curiously.
"Luckily, my mother's younger sister was betrothed; otherwise, it would have been a huge disaster if both of her daughters had married father and son," Yin said gloatingly.
In the eyes of the officials in the south, the royal family had no sense of ethics whatsoever. When Emperor Taizong married his aunt and niece, the two of them calmly shared a husband.
"Empress Dowager has lost face. It seems another storm is brewing in the capital!" Qingyan rubbed her temples, not wanting anyone to have any peace and quiet even during the New Year.
"Little darling, thankfully your father-in-law and mother-in-law came out together!" Yin had received advance notice that someone from the Jue Luo clan was also participating in the selection, and everyone's attention was focused on Yin Si.
When Yin mentioned the Jueluo clan, Qingyan's expression worsened. Her mother's family...
The car stopped at the Tianjin naval port, and everyone prepared to board a ship to return to Guangdong and Guangxi. Compared to land routes, waterways would be faster.
The ship was already docked at the pier, and all the necessary supplies were loaded onto it. The Jueluo clan also received a letter instructing them to speak well of the prince to Yin and to recommend Jueluo clan's daughters when the imperial concubine selection began.
"Little darling, take a look at this letter!" Jue Luo handed the letter to Qingyan, letting her handle it herself. "Your mother won't interfere anymore; you can do whatever you want!"
Qingyan took the letter, nodded to Jue Luo Shi, indicating that he already knew.
Fei Yanggu led Yin and Yin Xia to deal with the leaders of the military port, while Qingyan accompanied Jue Luo Shi on the escalator.
She opened the letter and read it directly. Jue Luo Shi stated that if the candidate could become the Eighth Prince's Consort, they would no longer cause trouble for Jue Luo Shi.
"Little darling, if possible, let's resolve everything at once!" Jue Luo said from the side.
Qingyan understood what her mother meant and handed everything over to her, assuring her that she would never cause Qingyan any more trouble.
"Mother, are you really going to abandon this?" Qingyan asked Jueluo Shi.
Jue Luo looked at Qing Yan firmly: "Your family's affairs have caused you considerable harm, and I can't drag you down with me just for my own sake!"
Qingyan felt more confident and planned to make arrangements himself to make the Jue Luo clan's daughter the Eighth Prince's wife. It would be a good thing, since the Jue Luo clan was only a member of the imperial clan and did not have any real power.
"I'll talk to Sisi, and I think that girl should be suitable!" Qingyan thought this was a good idea.
Jue Luo sighed, "Qing Yan is up to his old tricks again, actually trying to help those people fulfill their wishes."
"It's not good for you!" Jue Luo only said four words, and Qing Yan shook his head.
"Mother, the Eighth Prince's second wife is not of high status, so a lady from the Jue Luo clan would be perfect!" Qingyan whispered.
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